About Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga, one of the world's most widely-practiced methods, emphasizes correct alignment of all parts of the body within each yoga posture. This precision builds strength and stamina--balance and flexibility--and a new sense of well-being. Achieving meditation in action, students learn to exist fully and vibrantly in the present moment.
Iyengar Yoga is for everyone
No one is too old or too stiff, too fat or thin or tired. A certified Iyengar Yoga teacher can guide students of all ages and physical conditions to a yoga experience that is profound, intelligent, and transformative.
What distinguishes an Iyengar yoga class from others?
Clear demonstrations of the postures; a well-developed eye that lets students know they are observed;specific teaching points which awaken the intelligence of the body--these are the marks of an Iyengar Yoga teacher.
Students begin with standing postures. In time, other postures are added, including forward bends and backbends, twists, inversions, and restorative postures.
Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) is introduced as soon as students are ready because of its may therapeutic benefits. Each class ends with Savasana, corpse pose. Students learn to rest and relax profoundly, completely the body while drawing the mind towards the peace within
Iyengar Yoga is firmly grounded in the Ancient Indian Art of Yoga
In The Yoga Sutras, Patanjali wrote about eight steps towards spiritual fulfillment. Iyengar Yoga guides students along this journey of Ashtanga Yoga in a way that's practical, experiential, and intensely personal.
Yoga is union--the union of mind, body, and spirit. In Iyengar Yoga, this search for union begins with ongoing practice of the yoga postures. In time students learn to penetrate beyond the outer, physical layers (kosas) to the inner layers of mind, energy, and spirit.
B.K.S. Iyengar's unique perspective, the yoga asanas and pranayama (breath control) allow us to explore the higher limbs of yoga, including true meditation and even Samadhi, the complete freedom that is the end of the yogic journey.
Who is B.K.S. Iyengar?
Called the "Michelangelo of yoga" and the "king of yogis," named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, B.K.S. Iyengar is universally acknowledged as the world's greatest yoga teacher.
Yogacharya (yoga master) Iyengar brought yoga to the west with his pioneering teaching in the 60s and 70s, the beginning of today's explosivegrowth in yoga. His Light on Yoga, called "the bible of yoga," has been the source book for generations of yoga students. His most recent books are Light on Life and Yoga Wisdom & Practice.
Mr. Iyengar's invention of yoga props
Yoga props now ubiquitous in yoga studios of all styles--revolutionized the art. Certified Iyengar Yoga instructors modify yoga postures to the needs of specific students using blocks, blankets, belts and other props. These props allow for a deeper penetration into the postures, as well as a longer stay and more profound experience.
Mr. Iyengar also revolutionized yoga therapeutics
Gaining recognition for yoga as treatment for injuries and serious medical conditions; and developed sequences of postures appropriate for pregnancy, menstruation and menopause.
Pauline Schloesser is a certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher .
